Amusement device

ABSTRACT

An amusement device ( 1 ) has one or several vehicles ( 2 ). The drive device ( 13 ) of the vehicles is configured as a high-performance catapult drive ( 22 ) which is provided with one or more hydromotors ( 24 ) and a traction mechanism ( 20 ) that has to be detachably connected to the vehicle ( 2 ) by means of a carrying device ( 14 ). The catapult drive is designed as a rotary drive or winding drive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to an amusement facility with oneor more vehicles and a catapult drive for the vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Such an amusement facility with a catapult drive has been knownfrom FR-A 366 258. A vehicle is moved here at a high velocity along atrack curved in space and shall return into the starting position at theend in free flight. The catapult drive comprises a plurality of springs,which are placed in pipes and are connected to a carrier.

[0003] A similar catapult drive with drive springs is shown in DE-C 177794. The catapult drive acts on a rail-borne vehicle and moves sameupward along an oblique ramp. The vehicle returns into the startingposition on the same path. The springs are tensioned by means of a chaindrive. In addition, a braking means is also present, which works againstthe springs at the beginning of the acceleration section and diminishesthe acceleration acting on the passengers.

[0004] WO 98/45007 likewise pertains to an amusement facility, in whichpassenger carriers are moved to and fro on a rail track. Besides aconventional chain drive, a catapult drive, which is not describedspecifically and is also not shown, may be used as the drive.

[0005] Another amusement facility with a catapult drive has been knownfrom DE-A 27 03 833. The catapult drive comprises a cable or chainguided endlessly with a connected accelerating carriage for thepassenger carrier and is operated with a falling weight as a pushingdrive. As an alternative to the falling weight, a stationary linearpushing drive, which may be designed as a linear motor or as a hydrauliclifting cylinder with a reduced ratio, may be used in the area of thestarting section.

[0006] Finally, another catapult of the type of an ejection seat, inwhich the seat is pivoted by means of a pivoting lever, has been knownfrom DE-A 44 25 107. The drive is not described specifically.

[0007] Another amusement facility in the manner of a roller coaster hasbeen known from DE-A 28 32 991 and DE-U 298 22 644. Immediately afterleaving the boarding point, the vehicles are towed with a drive means,which is designed as an endless chain drive, to the highest elevation ofthe roller coaster over an ascending section and are released there. Thechain drive is relatively slow and it pulls the vehicle leisurelyupward.

[0008] In chain mechanisms, the towing force is transmitted via asprocket wheel engaging the chain in a positive-locking manner. Thepolygon effect generated in the process leads to high stresses and tonoise. In addition, lubrication of the chain is necessary, which leadsto problems with dripping and to difficulties in disposal. Due to theheavy weight, the field of use is limited to short distances and to lowvelocities in the range of up to about 5 m/sec. The endless chain driveshave carriers, which engage the vehicles of the amusement facility.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the present invention is to improve the prior-artamusement facility.

[0010] This object is accomplished by the present invention with anamusement facility with one or more vehicles and a drive means for thevehicles wherein the drive means is designed as a catapult drive. Thecatapult drive has one or more hydromotors.

[0011] The drive means is designed in the amusement facility as acatapult drive, which drives one or more vehicles at a high accelerationand velocity from standing or slow travel and launches them preferablyinto a free travel section. This high initial acceleration and velocityoffers a new attraction and experience for roller coasters, but also forother types of rides.

[0012] Extremely high driving forces or driving torques can thus betransmitted and high accelerations can be reached, so that the vehiclescan reach velocities in excess of 50 m/sec and accelerations exceeding 2g within a few seconds. The moving masses of the vehicle and thepassengers may vary between a few hundred kg and several tons.

[0013] The catapult drive is suitable for all types of amusementfacilities. Special advantages arise for roller coasters and othersimilar types of rides.

[0014] Hydromotors are used as drive motors. They have the advantagethat they are able to make available the enormous accelerating energy ofseveral MW, which is necessary for a short time. The accelerating energycan, furthermore, be buffered between the starts taking place at regularintervals by means of storage units. Contrary to direct drives, theinstalled power can thus be drastically reduced. In addition, thehydromotor has the advantage of having an especially small size andsmall inertia of masses. Moreover, it is far superior to a pneumaticdrive in terms of efficiency, energy loss and noise emission.

[0015] The catapult drive may be designed as an endless drive or as awinding or winch drive. A winding drive has some special advantages. Dueto the positive-locking connection of the drive or winding drum to thepulling means, friction effects and friction dependencies can beeliminated. The wrapping angle and the pretensioning forces can be lowerthan in the case of a friction drive, and the pulling means, preferablyone or more pulling cables, are also spared more and last longer. Amultiple cable arrangement makes it possible for the individual pullingcables to have a smaller cross section. This results in a smaller drumdiameter, which further increases the effectiveness of the catapultdrive.

[0016] It is, furthermore, recommended that a carrying means andespecially a towing car, which engages the vehicle to be acceleratedwith a movable carrier hook, be fastened to the pulling means. Thepreferred embodiment offers special advantages in terms of a simpledesign and operational safety.

[0017] The pulling means may have different designs. Instead of a chain,it is possible to use a cable or belt, which are better suited for theextremely high accelerations and velocities as well as the loadsresulting therefrom. A multiple cable arrangement or a broad-areapulling means, which preferably comprises a plurality of cable strandslocated in parallel next to one another and are optionally connected toone another, or a belt, is advantageous, but another design is alsopossible as an alternative. The pulling means comprises a materialsuitable for the high load.

[0018] The pulling means has the advantage over a chain in that the needfor lubrication can be eliminated, as a result of which the towingforces can be transmitted with a correspondingly higher coefficient offriction in the case of a friction drive. This leads, furthermore, to asubstantial reduction in the pretensioning force. In addition, thepulling means can pass over one or more drive and deflecting rollerswithout a substantial reduction of the service life.

[0019] The pulling means has, furthermore, the advantage of having alower price, lower noise emission, lower weight as well as lower inertiaof masses. The handling and maintenance are facilitated and improved.Favorable effects are also obtained for disposal and environmentalfriendliness. Furthermore, the small possible bending radius, the highfatigue strength under reversed bending stresses and the highreliability of operation are advantages as well.

[0020] The various features of novelty which characterize the inventionare pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawings:

[0022]FIG. 1 is an amusement facility of the roller coaster type with adrive means for the vehicles;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a top view of a part of the amusement facility with theacceleration section and the drive section with the drive means;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a partially simplified and schematized side view of theacceleration section with the drive means;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a schematic and broken-away view of a drive means withendless pulling means and a hydraulic supply;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a variant of the drive means according to FIG. 4 with awindable pulling means and a hydraulic supply; and

[0027]FIG. 6 is a top view of the winding drive according to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawings in particular, FIG. 1 shows anamusement facility 1, which is designed as a ride, e.g., as a rollercoaster. It comprises a rail-like guide 3 for one or more vehicles 2,which are set into motion by means of a drive means 13. The drive means13 drives the vehicles 2 along an acceleration section 11, acceleratesthem in the process to the desired initial velocity, and releases themat the end of the acceleration section 11. FIGS. 2 and 3 show theacceleration section 11 and the drive means 13 located there in asimplified and broken-away view.

[0029] The vehicles 2 separated from the drive means 13 will then moveon a freely selected free travel section 12 based on their kineticenergy. The travel section may be finite or endless. It may haveelevations, valleys, curves, slopes, loopings, plunge sections or anyother layout. In the embodiment being shown, the vehicles 2 are firstcatapulted by the drive means 13 to a tower-like elevation 6 in a steepascending section after a start-up section, and the vehicles return fromthe zenith of the elevation 6 to their starting point in a slope section7 with subsequent travel sections 8 in a roller coaster travel. As analternative, the vehicles 2 may also be catapulted in a looping oranother path section.

[0030] The drive means 13 is present as a single drive means in thepreferred embodiment. However, multiple drive means may also be presentin larger facilities and ensure the intermediate acceleration of thecars. The amusement facility 1 also has, furthermore, one or morebraking sections 9. It has, moreover, a boarding area 10, which isoptionally also preceded by a resting or waiting section. The amusementfacility 1 may also have a plurality of elevations. It may have anydesired layout. For clarity's sake, only the acceleration section 11 ofthe amusement facility 1 with the drive means broken off and shortenedis shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0031] In the embodiment being shown, the vehicles 2 move on a guide 3along the travel section, which is designed, e.g., as a closed track.The travel section is designed as a rail structure and has, e.g., asuitable cross-sectional profile with a suitable number of running railsand optionally also support rails. The vehicles 2 roll with a suitablechassis 4 on the guide 3. The guide 3 may otherwise also have any otherdesired design, e.g., it may also be designed as a monorail guide forvehicles 2 suspended overhead.

[0032] The drive means 13 is designed in the preferred embodiment beingshown as a highly dynamic catapult or throwing drive 22, whichaccelerates the cars to a launch velocity of about 150 km/hour or morewithin a few seconds. In the embodiment being shown, the acceleration ordrive section 11 is located at a spaced location in front of the firstelevation 6 and is located in an essentially horizontal or preferablyonly relatively weakly sloping starting area.

[0033] The drive means 13 has a reversible design in the embodimentbeing shown and operates intermittently. It drives the vehicles 2 bypushing or pulling in the direction of travel 5 in one direction anddetachably and launches them. After the separation of the vehicles 2, itreturns into its starting position at the point of boarding 10.

[0034] The drive means 13 has a pulling means 20 with a carrying means14 for the vehicles 2. The catapult drive 22 drives the pulling means 20with one or more motors 24. The pulling means 20 and optionally atensioning cable 19 are pretensioned by means of a cable tensioner 23and their strands are held permanently under tensile stress.

[0035]FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5 and 6 show two different embodiments of thecatapult drive 22. It is designed as an endless drive in FIG. 4 and as awinding drive in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0036] In the variant according to FIG. 4, the pulling means 20 is ledin a closed loop along the acceleration section 11 and is fastened withits two ends to the carrying means 14. The pulling means 20 is led in asingle loop over two end-side driving and deflecting rollers 25, 26. Asan alternative, a plurality of driving and deflecting rollers 25, 26 maybe present as well. The catapult drive 22 is designed, e.g., as afriction drive.

[0037] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the broad-area pullingmeans 20 is designed as an elastic multiple cable array 21, which isformed by a plurality of preferably single-layer, thin cable strands orstrands located in parallel next to one another. The cable strands maybe connected to one another to form a one-part pulling means 20. As analternative, the cable strands may also be located loosely next to oneanother. The cable strands may consist of steel or a plastic with highload-bearing capacity and do not need to be lubricated. They may alsohave a suitable jacketing. The ratio of the thickness of the cable orstrand to the width of the pulling means 20 may be preferably betweenabout 1:10 and 1:30 or higher to obtain the desired broad area. Thecable strands may run over guide means of a corresponding shape withgrooves or the like.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the pulling means 20 mayalso comprise a plurality of belts or other similar strands, running inparallel. In another variant, the pulling means 20 may be designed as abelt, which has a high tensile strength in conjunction with a highfatigue strength under reversed bending stresses and a surface that isfavorable with respect to friction. In one variant, the belt 21 may alsohave a transversely and/or longitudinally profiled surface, e.g., in theform of a toothed belt. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange aplurality of belts next to one another.

[0039] As is indicated in FIG. 3, the drive means 13 is integratedwithin the running rail 3 and is located within the rail structure. Theinner area of the latter and the drive means 13 are accessible from theoutside. The motor 24 of the catapult drive 22 is located at the frontend of the acceleration section 11 in the direction of travel 5, and thecable tensioner 23 is located at the rear end. This arrangement may alsobe reversed as an alternative or be designed differently in another way.The pulling means 20 extends along and preferably extensively within therunning rail 3.

[0040] The carrying means 14 may have different designs. Because of theability of the pulling means 20, it is provided with a guide 16 of itsown, which is located within the running rail 3. It comprises, e.g., acentrally arranged rail with two C profiles, which face each other withtheir openings and are arranged at laterally spaced locations from thecenter. The guide 16 extends essentially over the length of theacceleration section 11. The carrying means 14 comprises a towing car15, which can travel in the guide 16 and to which the ends of thepulling means 20 are fastened. The towing car 15 has a suitable carryingmeans 17, which engages the vehicle 2 in a positive-locking orfrictionally engaged manner and transmits the driving forces generatedby the catapult drive 22 to the vehicle 2, while pulling or pushing thevehicle 2.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the carrying means 17 comprises amovable catch, which can be pivoted up and down by means of a pivotbearing. In the raised docking position, which is shown in FIG. 4, thecatch 17 engages the vehicle 2 in a positive-locking manner. In thelowered inoperative position, the vehicle 2 can run over the catch 17.The raising and lowering of the catch 17 can be performed in anydesired, suitable manner. A suitable connecting link, which extendsunder the catch 17 during the reverse travel of the vehicle 2 and raisessame into the docking position, may be present at the vehicle 2. Thecatch 17 drops back automatically into the inoperative position underthe force of gravity at the end of the acceleration section 11 after thevehicle 2 has been launched.

[0042] The carrying means 14 may have, moreover, a suitable brakingmeans 18, which actively brakes it at the end of the accelerationsection 11. This braking means 18 may have any desired, suitable design.As an alternative or in addition, braking may also be performed by meansof the catapult drive 22.

[0043] At the end of the acceleration section 11, the acceleratedvehicle 2 becomes detached from the braked carrying means 14, which willthen stop and subsequently move slowly back into the starting positionat the beginning of the acceleration section 11. The catch 17 is nowlowered into the inoperative position. After passing over the travelsection, the vehicle 2 returns into the starting position, running overthe towing car 15 standing ready. The vehicle 2 is then moved back intothe definitive start position by a return means, not shown, e.g., anarray of a plurality of friction wheels, and the vehicle extends nowunder the catch 17 with its connecting link and raises it into thedocking position. There is a positive-locking connection, which isloadable in the direction of travel 5, between the carrying means 14 andthe vehicle 2 in this position. The friction wheels can then again bedeactivated and removed from the range of travel of the vehicle 2. Aplurality of vehicles 2 may also be under way in different tracksections at the same time on the amusement facility 1.

[0044] The cable tensioner 23 is schematically shown in FIG. 4. In thepreferred embodiment, it comprises one or more suitable tensioningdrives 30, which move the deflecting roller 26. The tensioning drive 30applies a pulling and tensioning force on the belt loop via thedeflecting roller 26 and tightens both strands of the pulling means 20.The deflecting roller 26 moves opposite the direction of travel 5 fortensioning.

[0045] The catapult drive 22 is accommodated in a compact housing insidethe running rail 3. It has at least one drive roller 25 and at least onemotor 24. In the exemplary embodiment of a highly dynamic hydromotorshown, one drive roller 25 is present, to which one or more hydromotors24 can be attached on both sides via a suitable transmission arrangementnot shown and they together drive the drive roller 25. Pressure isadmitted to the hydromotors 24 from a hydraulic supply 31.

[0046] The above-described catapult or hydraulic drive 22 and thehydraulic supply 31 can also be used successfully for other types oftowing or travel drives as well as for other towing means. The hydraulicsupply 31 offers an especially dynamic and high power in conjunctionwith the multiple arrangement of hydromotors 24.

[0047] The hydraulic supply 31 has at least one hydraulic storage unit32, which is designed as a piston-type storage unit in the embodimentbeing shown. As an alternative, it may also have any other design, e.g.,it may be a bubble storage unit or a spring-type storage unit. Theseparating piston 36 moves axially to and fro in the storage or cylinderspace and separates the hydraulic fluid 33, which is preferably ahydraulic oil, and a compressible storage fluid 34, e.g., a gas,preferably nitrogen, from one another. The gas chamber in the hydraulicstorage unit 32 is connected to an external gas pressure storage unit35, which is designed, e.g., as a battery of containers.

[0048] The hydraulic supply 31 also has, furthermore, at least onestorage reservoir 38, e.g., a tank, for the hydraulic fluid 33. One ormore pumps 39, e.g., charge pumps, deliver the hydraulic fluid 33 fromthe storage reservoir 38 back into the hydraulic storage unit 32. Thehydraulic supply 31 also includes, furthermore, a network of lines 42and valves 41, via which the hydraulic fluid 33 is sent to thehydromotor or hydromotors 24.

[0049] For using the hydraulic supply 31, the hydraulic storage unit 32is filled with the hydraulic fluid 33 by means of one or more pumps 39,the stored fluid 34 is greatly compressed by means of the separatingpiston 36 and pre-pressurized. The connection lines to the hydromotor orhydromotors 24 are closed by the valves 41 at this point in time. Toactuate the catapult drive 22, the lines 42 to the hydromotor orhydromotors 24 are opened. The pre-pressurized stored fluid 34 expandsand expels the hydraulic fluid 33 from the hydraulic storage unit 32 tothe hydromotor or hydromotors 24 by means of the separating piston 36,and the hydromotor or hydromotors 24, being rotating drives with bladewheels or other similar guide organs, convert the flow energy into arotary movement of the drive rollers 25 and drive the pulling means 20in the direction of travel 5 with a strong force and acceleration. Afterflowing through the hydromotors 24, the hydraulic fluid 33 flows backinto the storage reservoir 38.

[0050] As soon as the gas pressure of the stored fluid 34 has dropped toa predetermined value or the vehicle 2 has reached a desired velocity oftravel, which is measured and signaled by a suitable measuring means(not shown), e.g., at the running rail 3 or at the hydromotor orhydromotors 24, the catapult drive 22 is switched over to idle. Thevehicle 2 is at the end of the acceleration section 11 at this stage.The carrying means 14 is then braked by the braking means 18 togetherwith the connected pulling means 20 and the hydromotor or hydromotors24. The vehicle 2 now becomes detached from the carrying means 14 andcontinues to move on the free travel section 12 because of its preservedkinetic energy.

[0051] The catapult drive 22 is then switched over again, andhydromotors 24 driven in the opposite direction move the pulling means20 with the towing car 15 back into the starting position at theboarding point 10. FIG. 5 shows a reversing cycle 40, which is used forthis, with a nonreturn valve 37 in the line between the hydromotors 24and the tank 38. The hydraulic storage unit 32 is again pressurized atthe end of the return travel of the catapult drive 22 and is ready forthe next ride.

[0052]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a variant of the catapult drive 22, which isdesigned as a winding drive or cable winch drive. The pulling means 20is again designed as a multiple cable array 21 and comprises, e.g., twopulling cables 43, 44, which are fastened to the front side of the catchcar 15 in the direction of travel 5. The two pulling cables 43, 44 areattached and wound on a winding drum or cable drum 27. The cable drum 27has an essentially horizontal axis of rotation and is driven by one ormore hydromotors 24 in a reversing manner. Two separate winding areas28, 29, which are located at spaced locations from one another, arepresent here at the end areas of the cable drum 27 for thecorrespondingly spread-apart pulling cables 43, 44. The winding areas28, 29 have a suitable groove or cable guide 46, 47, e.g., on the jacketof the drum, for accurately placing the pulling cables 43, 44. Helicalgroove guides 46, 47, one of which, 46, is left-handed and the other,47, is right-handed in the driving direction shown in FIG. 6, arepresent in the embodiment being shown. The spread-apart pulling cables43, 44 are wound up as a result from the outer sides toward the centerduring the rotation of the drum in the driving direction.

[0053] The catapult drive 22 also has, furthermore, a tensioning cable19 in this embodiment, which is attached on the rear side of the catchcar 15. The tensioning cable 19 is led over the above-mentionedspaced-apart deflecting roller 26 and back under and through the catchcar 15 to the cable drum 27 and is likewise attached with the other endto the cable drum 27 and wound up. The direction of winding of thetensioning cable 19 is opposite the winding direction of the pullingcables 43, 44.

[0054] The tensioning cable 19 has a winding area 45 of its own with agroove guide 48 on the cable drum 27, which is located between thewinding areas 28, 29 of the pulling cables 43, 44. The groove guide 48of the tensioning cable 19 has the same left-handed helical shape, sizeand pitch as the groove guide 46 of one pulling cable 43, the two grooveguides 46,48 passing over into one another. A common winding area 28, 45is obtained as a result for the two cables 19, 43.

[0055] The winding direction of the tensioning cable 19 is opposite thewinding direction of the pulling cables 43, 44. When the pulling cables43, 44, arriving on the top side of the drum, are wound up during therotation of the drive of the cable drum 27 in the direction of travel 5,the tensioning cable 19 is correspondingly wound off from the undersideof the drum. Due to the opposite winding directions, the tensioningcable winding decreases to the same extent by which the pulling cablewinding broadens and it yields space to the pulling cable winding. Themovement is reversed in the reversing operation.

[0056] The hydromotor or hydromotors 24 and the cable drum 27 arelikewise at the end of the acceleration section 11 that is the front endin the direction of travel 5 in this embodiment of the catapult drive22. The deflecting roller 26 is arranged on the other side at the rearend of the acceleration section 11. In the start position of the vehicle2 and of the catch car 15, the pulling cables 43, 44 are wound offcompletely or at least almost completely. The tensioning cable 19 is, bycontrast, wound up completely or nearly completely. The catapult drive22 will then rotate the cable drum 27 at a high velocity by means of thehydromotor or hydromotors 24. As a result, the pulling cables 43, 44 arewound up and they pull the catch car 15 in the direction of travel. Atthe same time, the tensioning cable 19 is wound off and is fed via thedeflecting roller 26 corresponding to the movement of the car.

[0057] The catapult drive 22 is braked at the end of the drive oracceleration section 11 in the above-described manner and the hydromotoror hydromotors 24 are switched over to idle. During the subsequentreversing operation, the hydromotor or hydromotors 24 rotate the cabledrum 27 in the opposite direction and the tensioning cable 19 is againwound up and it pulls back the catch car 15 into the start position as aresult. The pulling cables 43, 44 wound off from the cable drum 27 aredragged at the same time by the catch car 15. The cable tensioner 23acting on the deflecting roller 26 always keeps the pulling andtensioning cables 43, 44, 19 under a predetermined tensile stress.

[0058] Various modifications of the embodiment shown are possible. Onthe one hand, the pulling means 20 may have any other desired, suitabledesign. Furthermore, the catapult drive 22 may have any other desirednumber and arrangement of driving and deflecting rollers 25, 26 andmotors 24. In the endless drive according to FIG. 4, a toothed beltdrive or the like with positive-locking power transmission is alsopossible instead of a friction drive with non-positive powertransmission. The drive means 13 may also be designed as a continuousdrive with a short acceleration phase and a subsequent, extensivelyconstant velocity phase. In the design as a hydraulic drive, thehydromotors 24 may also be coupled with another type of hydraulic supply31.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment of an endless drive shown in FIG. 4,the pulling means 20 is guided and driven in a loop. The catapult drive22 and the movement of the pulling means are reversible and theyalternatingly perform a forward movement and a reverse movement.However, the endless drive may also drive the pulling means 20continuously and in a constant direction of movement in a variant whichis not shown.

[0060] As an alternative, a plurality of cable drums 27 may be presentin the winding drive according to FIGS. 5 and 6, and a separate windingdrum 27 may also be provided for each pulling and tensioning cable 43,44, 19. In addition, the number of the pulling and tensioning cables 43,44, 19 may be varied as desired and it may be lower or greater than inthe exemplary embodiment being shown. The design embodiment and thearrangement of the cable guide 46, 47, 48, which may comprise, e.g.,upstream guide elements traveling along the drum during its rotation,are also variable. Other winding drives and winding elements may also beused instead of a winding or cable drum 27 with horizontal axis ofrotation.

[0061] Furthermore, the connection between the pulling means 20 and thecatapult drive 22 is also variable. The carrying means 14 is detachablein the embodiment shown and acts in one direction on the vehicle 2. Inone variant, which is not shown, it is possible to permanently connectthe carrying means 14 to the vehicle 2 and to return the vehicle 2 intothe starting position in the reversing operation together with thecarrying means 14. Such a design is suitable, e.g., for fall frames, inwhich the vehicle 2 is moved upward with the drive means 13 on avertical or oblique frame and is then let fall after switching off thecatapult drive 22 and is moved downward by its own weight. As analternative, the catapult drive 22 may also act on the vehicle 2 in thereversing operation during the downward movement. In another variant, itis possible to do away with the additional carrying means 14 and tofasten the pulling means 20 to the vehicle 2. There is direct drive bythe catapult drive 22 in the reversing or endless operation in thiscase.

[0062] In addition, the amusement facility 1 may have any other desired,suitable design and have other types of vehicles and guides or sectionsfor the vehicles.

[0063] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

[0064] The present invention pertains to an amusement facility with thefeatures described in the preamble of the principal claim.

[0065] Such an amusement facility in the manner of a roller coaster hasbeen known from DE-A 28 32 991 and DE-U 298 22 644. Immediately afterleaving the boarding point, the vehicles are towed with a drive means,which is designed as an endless chain drive, to the highest elevation ofthe roller coaster over an ascending section and are released there. Thechain drive is relatively slow and it pulls the vehicle leisurelyupward.

[0066] In chain mechanisms, the towing force is transmitted via asprocket wheel engaging the chain in a positive-locking manner. Thepolygon effect generated in the process leads to high stresses and tonoise. In addition, lubrication of the chain is necessary, which leadsto problems with dripping and to difficulties in disposal. Due to theheavy weight, the field of use is limited to short distances and, to lowvelocities in the range of up to about 5 m/sec. The endless chain driveshave carriers, which engage the vehicles of the amusement facility.

[0067] The object of the present invention is to improve the prior-artamusement facility.

[0068] This object is accomplished by the present invention with thefeatures described in the principal claim.

[0069] The drive means is designed in the amusement facility as acatapult drive, which drives one or more vehicles at a high accelerationand velocity from standing or slow travel and launches them offpreferably into a free travel section. This high initial accelerationand velocity offers a new attraction and experience for roller coasters,but also for other types of rides.

[0070] Extremely high driving forces or driving torques can thus betransmitted and high accelerations can be reached, so that the vehiclescan reach velocities in excess of 50 m/sec and accelerations exceeding 2g within a few seconds. The moving masses of the vehicle and thepassengers may vary between a few hundred kg and several tons.

[0071] The catapult drive is suitable for all types of amusementfacilities. Special advantages arise for roller coasters and othersimilar types of rides.

[0072] In addition, it is advantageous here to use hydromotors as thedrive motors. They have the advantage that they are able to makeavailable the enormous accelerating energy of several MW, which isnecessary for a short time. The accelerating energy can, furthermore, bebuffered between the starts taking place at regular intervals by meansof storage units. Contrary to direct drives, the installed power canthus be drastically reduced. In addition, the hydromotor has theadvantage of having an especially small size and inertia of masses.Moreover, it is far superior to a pneumatic drive in terms ofefficiency, energy loss and noise emission.

[0073] The catapult drive may be designed as an endless drive or as awinding or winch drive. A winding drive has some special advantages. Dueto the positive-locking connection of the drive or winding drum to thepulling means, friction effects and friction dependences can beeliminated. The wrapping angle and the pretensioning forces can be lowerthan in the case of a friction drive, and the pulling means, preferablyone or more pulling cables, are also spared more and last longer. Amultiple cable arrangement makes it possible here for the individualpulling cables to have a smaller cross section. This results in asmaller drum diameter, which further increases the effectiveness of thecatapult drive.

[0074] It is, furthermore, recommended that a carrying means andespecially a towing car, which engages the vehicle to be acceleratedwith a movable carrier hook, be fastened to the pulling means. Thepreferred embodiment offers special advantages here in terms of a simpledesign and operational safety.

[0075] The pulling means may have different designs. Instead of a chain,it is possible to use a cable or belt, which are better suited for theextremely high accelerations and velocities as well as the loadsresulting herefrom. A multiple cable arrangement or a broad-area pullingmeans, which preferably comprises a plurality of cable strands locatedin parallel next to one another and are optionally connected to oneanother, or a belt, is advantageous, but another design is also possibleas an alternative. The pulling means comprises a material suitable forthe high load.

[0076] The pulling means have the advantage over a chain that the needto lubricate can be eliminated, as a result of which the towing forcescan be transmitted with a correspondingly higher coefficient of frictionin the case of a friction drive. This leads, furthermore, to asubstantial reduction in the pretensioning force. In addition, thepulling means can pass over one or more drive and deflecting rollerswithout a substantial reduction of the service life.

[0077] The pulling means has, furthermore, the advantage of having alower price, lower noise emission, lower weight as well as a lowerinertia of masses. The handling and maintenance are facilitated andimproved. Favorable effects are also obtained for the disposal and theenvironmental friendliness. Furthermore, the small possible bendingradius, the high fatigue strength under reversed bending stresses andthe high reliability of operation are advantages as well.

[0078] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in the subclaims.

[0079] The present invention is schematically shown as an example in thedrawings. Specifically,

[0080]FIG. 1 shows an amusement facility of the type of a roller coasterwith a drive means for the vehicles,

[0081]FIG. 2 shows a top view of a part of the amusement facility withthe acceleration section and the drive section with the drive means,

[0082]FIG. 3 shows a partially simplified and schematized side view ofthe acceleration section with the drive means,

[0083]FIG. 4 shows a schematic and broken-away view of a drive meanswith endless pulling means and a hydraulic supply,

[0084]FIG. 5 shows a variant of the drive means according to FIG. 4 witha windable pulling means and a hydraulic supply, and

[0085]FIG. 6 shows a top view of the winding drive according to FIG. 5.

[0086]FIG. 1 shows an amusement facility (1), which is designed as aride, e.g., as a roller coaster. It comprises a rail-like guide (3) forone or more vehicles (2), which are set into motion by means of a drivemeans (13). The drive means (13) drives the vehicles (2) along anacceleration section (11), accelerates them in the process to thedesired initial velocity, and releases them at the end of theacceleration section (11). FIGS. 2 and 3 show the acceleration section(11) and the drive means (13) located there in a simplified andbroken-away view.

[0087] The vehicles (2) separated from the drive means (13) will thenmove on a freely selected free travel section (12) based on theirkinetic energy. The travel section may be finite or endless. It may haveelevations, valleys, curves, slopes, loopings, plunge sections or anyother layout. In the embodiment being shown, the vehicles (2) are firstcatapulted by the drive means (13) to a tower-like elevation (6) in asteep ascending section after a start-up section, and the vehiclesreturn from the zenith of the said elevation (6) to their starting pointin a slope section (7) with subsequent travel sections (8) in a rollercoaster travel. As an alternative, the vehicles (2) may also becatapulted in a looping or another path section.

[0088] The drive means (13) is present as a single drive means in thepreferred embodiment. However, multiple drive means may also be presentin larger facilities and ensure the intermediate acceleration of thecars. The amusement facility (1) also has, furthermore, one or morebraking sections (9). It has, moreover, a boarding area (10), which isoptionally also preceded by a resting or waiting section. The amusementfacility (1) may also have a plurality of elevations. It may have anydesired layout. For clarity's sake, only the acceleration section (11)of the amusement facility (1) with the drive means broken off andshortened is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0089] In the embodiment being shown, the vehicles (2) move on a guide(3) along the travel section, which is designed, e.g., as a closedtrack. The travel section is designed as a rail structure and has, e.g.,a suitable cross-sectional profile with a suitable number of runningrails and optionally also support rails. The vehicles (2) roll with asuitable chassis (4) on the guide (3). The guide (3) may otherwise alsohave any other desired design, e.g., it may also be designed as amonorail guide for vehicles (2) suspended overhead.

[0090] The drive means (13) is designed in the preferred embodimentbeing shown as a highly dynamic catapult or throwing drive (22), whichaccelerates the cars to a launch velocity of about 150 km/hour or morewithin a few seconds. In the embodiment being shown, the acceleration ordrive section (11) is located at a spaced location in front of the firstelevation (6) and is located in an essentially horizontal or preferablyonly relatively weakly sloping starting area.

[0091] The drive means (13) has a reversible design in the embodimentbeing shown and operates intermittently. It drives the vehicles (2) bypushing or pulling in the direction of travel (5) in one direction anddetachably and launches them. After the separation of the vehicles (2),it returns into its starting position at the point of boarding (10).

[0092] The drive means (13) has a pulling means (20) with a carryingmeans (14) for the vehicles (2). The catapult drive (22) drives thepulling means (20) with one or more motors (24). The pulling means (20)and optionally a tensioning cable (19) are pretensioned by means of acable tensioner (23) and their strands are held permanently undertensile stress.

[0093]FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5 and 6 show two different embodiments of thecatapult drive (22). It is designed as an endless drive in FIG. 4 and asa winding drive in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0094] In the variant according to FIG. 4, the pulling means (20) is ledin a closed loop along the acceleration section (11) and is fastenedwith its two ends to the carrying means (14). The pulling means (20) isled in a single loop over two end-side driving and deflecting rollers(25, 26). As an alternative, a plurality of driving and deflectingrollers (25, 26) may be present as well. The catapult drive (22) isdesigned, e.g., as a friction drive.

[0095] In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the broad-area pullingmeans (20) is designed as an elastic multiple cable array (21), which isformed by a plurality of preferably single-layer, thin cable strands orstrands located in parallel next to one another. The cable strands maybe connected to one another to form a one-part pulling means (20). As analternative, the cable strands may also be located loosely next to oneanother. The cable strands may consist of steel or a plastic with highload-bearing capacity and do not need to be lubricated. They may alsohave a suitable jacketing. The ratio of the thickness of the cable orstrand to the width of the pulling means (20) may be preferably betweenabout 1:10 and 1:30 or higher to obtain the desired broad area. Thecable strands may run over guide means of a corresponding shape withgrooves or the like.

[0096] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the pulling means (20)may also comprise a plurality of belts or other similar strands, runningin parallel. In another variant, the pulling means (20) may be designedas a belt, which has a high tensile strength in conjunction with a highfatigue strength under reversed bending stresses and a surface that isfavorable with respect to friction. In one variant, the belt (21) mayalso have a transversely and/or longitudinally profiled surface, e.g.,in the form of a toothed belt. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange aplurality of belts next to one another.

[0097] As is indicated in FIG. 3, the drive means (13) is integratedwithin the running rail (3) and is located within the rail structure.The inner area of the latter and the drive means (13) are accessiblefrom the outside. The motor (24) of the catapult drive (22) is locatedat the front end of the acceleration section (11) in the direction oftravel (5), and the cable tensioner (23) is located at the rear end.This arrangement may also be reversed as an alternative or be designeddifferently in another way. The pulling means (20) extends along andpreferably extensively within the running rail (3).

[0098] The carrying means (14) may have different designs. Because ofthe lability of the pulling means (20), it is provided with a guide (16)of its own, which is located within the running rail (3). It comprises,e.g., a centrally arranged rail with two C profiles, which face eachother with their openings and are arranged at laterally spaced locationsfrom the center. The guide (16) extends essentially over the length ofthe acceleration section (11). The carrying means (14) comprises atowing car (15), which can travel in the guide (16) and to which theends of the pulling means (20) are fastened. The towing car (15) has asuitable carrying means (17), which engages the vehicle (2) in apositive-locking or frictionally engaged manner and detachably orpermanently and transmits the driving forces generated by the catapultdrive (22) to the vehicle (2), while pulling or pushing the vehicle (2).

[0099] In the preferred embodiment, the carrying means (17) comprises amovable catch, which can be pivoted up and down by means of a pivotbearing. In the raised docking position, which is shown in FIG. 4, thecatch (17) engages the vehicle (2) in a positive-locking manner. In thelowered inoperative position, the vehicle (2) can run over the catch(17). The raising and lowering of the catch (17) can be performed in anydesired, suitable manner. A suitable connecting link, which extendsunder the catch (17) during the reverse travel of the vehicle (2) andraises same into the docking position, may be present at the vehicle(2). The catch (17) drops back automatically into the inoperativeposition under the force of gravity at the end of the accelerationsection (11) after the vehicle (2) has been launched.

[0100] The carrying means (14) may have, moreover, a suitable brakingmeans (18), which actively brakes it at the end of the accelerationsection (11). This braking means (18) may have any desired, suitabledesign. As an alternative or in addition, braking may also be performedby means of the catapult drive (22).

[0101] At the end of the acceleration section (11), the acceleratedvehicle (2) becomes detached from the braked carrying means (14), whichwill then stop and subsequently move slowly back into the startingposition at the beginning of the acceleration section (11). The catch(17) is now lowered into the inoperative position. After passing overthe travel section, the vehicle (2) returns into the starting position,running over the towing car (15) standing ready. The vehicle (2) is thenmoved back into the definitive start position by a return means, notshown, e.g., an array of a plurality of friction wheels, and the vehicleextends now under the catch (17) with its connecting link and raises itinto the docking position. There is a positive-locking connection, whichis loadable in the direction of travel (15) [sic—Tr.Ed.], between thecarrying means (14) and the vehicle (2) in this position. The frictionwheels can then again be deactivated and removed from the range oftravel of the vehicle (2). A plurality of vehicles (2) may also be underway in different track sections at the same time on the amusementfacility (1).

[0102] The cable tensioner (23) is schematically shown in FIG. 4. In thepreferred embodiment, it comprises one or more suitable tensioningdrives (30), which move the deflecting roller (26). The tensioning drive(30) applies a pulling and tensioning force on the belt loop via thedeflecting roller (26) and tightens both strands of the pulling means(20). The deflecting roller (26) moves opposite the direction of travel(5) for tensioning.

[0103] The catapult drive (22) is accommodated in a compact housinginside the running rail (3). It has at least one drive roller (25) andat least one motor (24). In the exemplary embodiment of a highly dynamichydromotor shown, one drive roller (25) is present, to which one or morehydromotors (24) can be attached on both sides via a suitabletransmission arrangement (not shown) and they together drive the driveroller (25). Pressure is admitted to the hydromotors (24) from ahydraulic supply (31).

[0104] The above-described catapult or hydraulic drive (22) and thehydraulic supply (31) can also be used successfully for other types oftowing or travel drives as well as for other towing means. The hydraulicsupply (31) offers an especially dynamic and high power in conjunctionwith the multiple arrangement of hydromotors (24).

[0105] The hydraulic supply (31) has at least one hydraulic storage unit(32), which is designed as a piston-type storage unit in the embodimentbeing shown. As an alternative, it may also have any other design, e.g.,it may be a bubble storage unit or a spring-type storage unit. Theseparating piston (36) moves axially to and fro in the storage orcylinder space and separates the hydraulic fluid (33), which ispreferably a hydraulic oil, and a compressible storage fluid (34), e.g.,a gas, preferably nitrogen, from one another. The gas chamber in thehydraulic storage unit (32) is connected to an external gas pressurestorage unit (35), which is designed, e.g., as a battery of containers.

[0106] The hydraulic supply (31) also has, furthermore, at least onestorage reservoir (38), e.g., a tank, for the hydraulic fluid (33). Oneor more pumps (39), e.g., charge pumps, deliver the hydraulic fluid (33)from the storage reservoir (38) back into the hydraulic storage unit(32). The hydraulic supply (31) also includes, furthermore, a network oflines (42) and valves (41), via which the hydraulic fluid (33) is sentto the hydromotor or hydromotors (24).

[0107] For using the hydraulic supply (31), the hydraulic storage unit(32) is filled with the hydraulic fluid (33) by means of one or morepumps (39), the stored fluid (34) is greatly compressed by means of theseparating piston (36) and pre-pressurized. The connection lines to thehydromotor or hydromotors (24) are closed by the valves (41) at thispoint in time. To actuate the catapult drive (22), the lines (42) to thehydromotor or hydromotors (24) are opened. The pre-pressurized storedfluid (34) expands and expels the hydraulic fluid (33) from thehydraulic storage unit (32) to the hydromotor or hydromotors (24) bymeans of the separating piston (36), and the hydromotor or hydromotors(24), being rotating drives with blade wheels or other similar guideorgans, convert the flow energy into a rotary movement of the driverollers (25) and drive the pulling means (20) in the direction of travel(5) with a strong force and acceleration. After flowing through thehydromotors (24), the hydraulic fluid (33) flows back into the storagereservoir (38).

[0108] As soon as the gas pressure of the stored fluid (34) has droppedto a predetermined value or the vehicle (2) has reached a desiredvelocity of travel, which is measured and signaled by a suitablemeasuring means (not shown), e.g., at the running rail (3) or at thehydromotor or hydromotors (24), the catapult drive (22) is switched overto idle. The vehicle (2) is at the end of the acceleration section (11)at this stage. The carrying means (14) is then braked by the brakingmeans (18) together with the connected pulling means (20) and thehydromotor or hydromotors (24). The vehicle (2) now becomes detachedfrom the carrying means (14) and continues to move on the free travelsection (12) because of its preserved kinetic energy.

[0109] The catapult drive (22) is then switched over again, andhydromotors (24) driven in the opposite direction move the pulling means(20) with the towing car (15) back into the starting position at theboarding point (10). FIG. 5 shows a reversing cycle (40), which is usedfor this, with a nonreturn valve (37) in the line between thehydromotor(s) (24) and the tank (38). The hydraulic storage unit (32) isagain pressurized at the end of the return travel of the catapult drive(22) and is ready for the next ride.

[0110]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a variant of the catapult drive (22), which isdesigned as a winding drive or cable winch drive here. The pulling means(20) is again designed as a multiple cable array (21) and comprises,e.g., two pulling cables (43, 44), which are fastened to the front sideof the catch car (15) in the direction of travel (5). The two pullingcables (43, 44) are attached and wound on a winding drum or cable drum(27). The cable drum (27) has an essentially horizontal axis of rotationand is driven by one or more hydromotor(s) (24) in a reversing manner.Two separate winding areas (28, 29), which are located at spacedlocations from one another, are present here at the end areas of thecable drum (27) for the correspondingly spread-apart pulling cables (43,44). The winding areas (28, 29) have a suitable groove or cable guide(46, 47), e.g., on the jacket of the drum, for accurately placing thepulling cables (43, 44). Helical groove guides (46, 47), one of which,(46), is left-handed and the other, (47), is right-handed in the drivingdirection shown in FIG. 6, are present in the embodiment being shown.The spread-apart pulling cables (43, 44) are wound up as a result fromthe outer sides toward the center during the rotation of the drum in thedriving direction.

[0111] The catapult drive (22) also has, furthermore, a tensioning cable(19) in this embodiment, which is attached on the rear side of the catchcar (15). The tensioning cable (19) is led over the above-mentionedspaced-apart deflecting roller (26) and back under and through the catchcar (15) to the cable drum (27) and is likewise attached with the otherend to the cable drum (27) and wound up. The direction of winding of thetensioning cable (19) is opposite the winding direction of the pullingcables (43, 44).

[0112] The tensioning cable (19) has a winding area (45) of its own witha groove guide (48) on the cable drum (27), which is located between thewinding areas (28, 29) of the pulling cables (43, 44). The groove guide(48) of the tensioning cable (19) has the same left-handed helicalshape, size and pitch as the groove guide (46) of one pulling cable(43), the two groove guides (46, 48) passing over into one another. Acommon winding area (28, 45) is obtained as a result for the two cables(19, 43).

[0113] The winding direction of the tensioning cable (19) is oppositethe winding direction of the pulling cables (43, 44). When the pullingcables (43, 44), arriving on the top side of the drum, are wound upduring the rotation of the drive of the cable drum (27) in the directionof travel (5), the tensioning cable (19) is correspondingly wound offfrom the underside of the drum. Due to the opposite winding directions,the tensioning cable winding decreases to the same extent by which thepulling cable winding broadens and it yields space to the pulling cablewinding. The movement is reversed in the reversing operation.

[0114] The hydromotor or hydromotors (24) and the cable drum (27) arelikewise at the end of the acceleration section (11) that is the frontend in the direction of travel (5) in this embodiment of the catapultdrive (22). The deflecting roller (26) is arranged on the other side atthe rear end of the acceleration section (11). In the start position ofthe vehicle (2) and of the catch car (15), the pulling cables (43, 44)are wound off completely or at least almost completely. The tensioningcable (19) is, by contrast, wound up completely or nearly completely.The catapult drive (22) will then rotate the cable drum (27) at a highvelocity by means of the hydromotor or hydromotors (24). As a result,the pulling cables (43, 44) are wound up and they pull the catch car(15) in the direction of travel. At the same time, the tensioning cable(19) is wound off and is fed via the deflecting roller (26)corresponding to the movement of the car.

[0115] The catapult drive (22) is braked at the end of the drive oracceleration section (11) in the above-described manner and thehydromotor or hydromotors (24) are switched over to idle. During thesubsequent reversing operation, the hydromotor or hydromotors (24)rotate the cable drum (27) in the opposite direction and the tensioningcable (19) is again wound up and it pulls back the catch car (15) intothe start position as a result. The pulling cables (43, 44) wound offfrom the cable drum (27) are dragged at the same time by the catch car(15). The cable tensioner (23) acting on the deflecting roller (26)always keeps the pulling and tensioning cables (43, 44, 19) under apredetermined tensile stress.

[0116] Various modifications of the embodiment shown are possible. Onthe one hand, the pulling means (20) may have any other desired,suitable design. Furthermore, the catapult drive (22) may have any otherdesired number and arrangement of driving and deflecting rollers (25,26) and motors (24). In the endless drive according to FIG. 4, a toothedbelt drive or the like with positive-locking power transmission is alsopossible instead of a friction drive with non-positive powertransmission. Furthermore, other motors (24), e.g., electric motors,pneumatic drives or the like may be used. The drive means (13) may alsobe designed as a continuous drive with a short acceleration phase and asubsequent, extensively constant velocity phase. In the design as ahydraulic drive, the hydromotors (24) may also be coupled with anothertype of hydraulic supply (31).

[0117] In the exemplary embodiment of an endless drive shown in FIG. 4,the pulling means (20) is guided and driven in a loop. The catapultdrive (22) and the movement of the pulling means are reversible and theyalternatingly perform a forward movement and a reverse movement.However, the endless drive may also drive the pulling means (20)continuously and in a constant direction of movement in a variant whichis not shown.

[0118] As an alternative, a plurality of cable drums (27) may be presentin the winding drive according to FIGS. 5 and 6, and a separate windingdrum (27) may also be provided for each pulling and tensioning cable(43, 44, 19). In addition, the number of the pulling and tensioningcables (43, 44, 19) may be varied as desired and it may be lower orgreater than in the exemplary embodiment being shown. The designembodiment and the arrangement of the cable guide (46, 47, 48), whichmay comprise, e.g., upstream guide elements traveling along along thedrum during its rotation, are also variable. Other winding drives andwinding elements may also be used instead of a winding or cable drum(27) with horizontal axis of rotation.

[0119] Furthermore, the connection between the pulling means (20) andthe catapult drive (22) is also variable. The carrying means (14) isdetachable in the embodiment shown and acts in one direction on thevehicle (2). In one variant, which is not shown, it is possible topermanently connect the carrying means (14) to the vehicle (2) and toreturn the vehicle (2) into the starting position in the reversingoperation together with the carrying means (14). Such a design issuitable, e.g., for fall frames, in which the vehicle (2) is movedupward with the drive means (13) on a vertical or oblique frame and isthen let fall after switching off the catapult drive (13) [sic—Tr.Ed.]and is moved downward by its own weight. As an alternative, the catapultdrive (22) may also act on the vehicle (2) in the reversing operationduring the downward movement. In another variant, it is possible to doaway with the additional carrying means (14) and to fasten the pullingmeans (20) to the vehicle (2). There is direct drive by the catapultdrive (22) in the reversing or endless operation in this case.

[0120] In addition, the amusement facility (1) may have any otherdesired, suitable design and have other types of vehicles and guides orsections for the vehicles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0121]1 Amusement facility, ride

[0122]2 Vehicle

[0123]3 Guide, running rail

[0124]4 Chassis

[0125]5 Direction of travel

[0126]6 Elevation, tower

[0127]7 Slope section

[0128]8 Travel section

[0129]9 Braking section

[0130]10 Boarding area

[0131]11 Acceleration section, towing section

[0132]12 Free travel section

[0133]13 Drive means

[0134]14 Carrying means

[0135]15 Towing car

[0136]16 Guide, rail

[0137]17 Carrying means, catch

[0138]18 Braking means

[0139]19 Tensioning cable

[0140]20 Pulling means

[0141]21 Multiple cable array

[0142]22 Catapult drive

[0143]23 Cable tensioner

[0144]24 Motor, hydromotor

[0145]25 Roller, driving roller

[0146]26 Roller, deflecting roller

[0147]27 Winding drum, cable drum

[0148]28 Winding area, pulling cable

[0149]29 Winding area, pulling cable

[0150]30 Tensioning drive

[0151]31 Hydraulic supply

[0152]32 Hydraulic storage unit

[0153]33 Hydraulic fluid, oil

[0154]34 Stored fluid, gas

[0155]35 Gas pressure storage unit

[0156]36 Separating piston

[0157]37 Nonreturn valve

[0158]38 Storage reservoir, tank

[0159]39 Pump, charge pump

[0160]40 Reversing cycle

[0161]41 Valve

[0162]42 Line

[0163]43 Pulling cable

[0164]44 Pulling cable

[0165]45 Winding area, tensioning cable

[0166]46 Groove guide, pulling cable

[0167]47 Groove guide, pulling cable

[0168]48 Groove guide, tensioning cable

1. Amusement facility with one or more said vehicles (2) and a saiddrive means (13) for the said vehicles, characterized in that the saiddrive means (13) is designed as a said catapult drive (22).
 2. Amusementfacility in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the saidcatapult drive (22) is designed as a high-power drive for highaccelerations and velocities of travel of the said vehicles (2). 3.Amusement facility in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized inthat the said catapult drive (22) has one or more said hydromotors (24).4. Amusement facility in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterizedin that the said catapult drive (22) has a said guided (16) carryingmeans (14) for detachable or permanent connection to the said vehicle(2).
 5. Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said catapult drive (22) has a said pullingmeans (20) and is designed as an endless drive or as a winding drive. 6.Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said pulling means (20) is designed as a saidflexible multiple cable array (21) that can be subjected to tensile loadwith a plurality of cable strands or as a belt-like towing belt. 7.Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said catapult drive (22) is designed as areversible drive.
 8. Amusement facility in accordance with one of theabove claims, characterized in that the said catapult drive (22) has atleast one said pulling cable (43, 44) and a said tensioning cable (19),which are fastened to the said carrying means (14) at opposite points.9. Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said catapult drive (22) has a said common,driven (24) cable drum (27) with said separate winding areas (28, 29,45) for two said pulling cables (43, 44) and for the said tensioningcable (19), wherein the said pulling cables (43, 44) and the saidtensioning cable (19) have opposite directions of winding and the saidtensioning cable (19) is led over a said spaced-apart deflecting roller(26).
 10. Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said winding areas (28, 29) of the saidpulling cables (43, 44) have said groove guides (46, 47) with a helicalshape extending in opposite directions.
 11. Amusement facility inaccordance with one of the above claims, characterized in that the saidwinding area (45) of the said tensioning cable (19) has a said grooveguide (48), which corresponds in terms of shape and pitch to a saidadjacent groove guide (46) of a said pulling cable (43) and passes overinto same.
 12. Amusement facility in accordance with one of the aboveclaims, characterized in that a said braking means (18) is provided forthe said carrying means (14).
 13. Amusement facility in accordance withone of the above claims, characterized in that the said carrying means(14) has a said towing car (15) with a said movable catch (17), whichcan be brought by a rearward connecting link at the said vehicle (2)into a raised docking position and falls into a lowered inoperativeposition under the force of gravity after the separation of the saidvehicle (2).
 14. Amusement facility in accordance with one of the aboveclaims, characterized in that the said catapult drive (22) has a saidcable tensioner (23) with a said tensioning drive (30).
 15. Amusementfacility in accordance with one of the above claims, characterized inthat the said catapult drive (22) has a said hydraulic supply (31) witha said hydraulic storage unit (32), which can be pressurized, a saidline and valve array (41, 42), a said storage reservoir (38) and one ofmore said pumps (39).
 16. Amusement facility in accordance with one ofthe above claims, characterized in that the said hydraulic storage unit(32) is designed as a piston-type storage unit, which is connected onthe gas side to a said external gas pressure storage unit (35). 17.Amusement facility in accordance with one of the above claims,characterized in that the said hydraulic storage unit (32) is designedas a bubble storage unit or as a spring-type storage unit.